K-4 (missile)

K-4 or Kalam-4 is a nuclear capable intermediate-range submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation of India to arm its Arihant-class submarines.[1] The missile has a maximum range of about 4000 km which offers greater operational flexibility compared to its predecessor K-15 having a limited shore-bounding range.[2][3] On deployment, the missile will be the first to operationalise India's sea-based nuclear triad and can accommodate the demand of credible second-strike capability of its nuclear doctrine.[4]

K-4
TypeIntermediate-range SLBM
Place of originIndia
Service history
In service2020s[5]
Used by Indian Navy
Production history
DesignerDefence Research and Development Organisation
ManufacturerBharat Dynamics Limited
Specifications
Mass17 t (19 short tons)[6]
Length12 m (39 ft)[6]
Diameter1.3 m (4.3 ft)[6]
WarheadStrategic nuclear weapon
Warhead weight2,500 kg (5,500 lb)[7]
EngineTwo stage solid rocket motor[8]
PropellantSolid rocket propellant[8]
Operational
range
4,000 km (2,500 mi)[9][10]
Guidance
system
Mid-course: Inertial navigation system with GPS/NavIC satellite guidance,
Terminal: Terrain contour matching[11]
Launch
platform
Arihant class submarines

The INS Arihant and INS Arighaat have four vertical launching system for the missile while last two slightly larger vessels of the class has double this number.[12] The missile has completed developmental launch trials and has reportedly entered serial production after a final two consecutive launch trials in January 2020 within a gap of six days.[13][14] In September 2024, ANI reported the deployment of the missile onboard the Arighaat, several days past her commissioning.[15][16]

  1. ^ Diplomat, Ankit Panda, The. "India Inches Closer to Credible Nuclear Triad With K-4 SLBM Test". The Diplomat. Retrieved 26 March 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "India successfully test-fires underwater missile". The Hindu. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2013.
  3. ^ http://www.nasic.af.mil/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=F2VLcKSmCTE%3d&portalid=19 [bare URL PDF]
  4. ^ "Arighat commissioning revives debate over 'no first use' policy". orfonline.org. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Sub-launched K-4 ready for induction". The New Indian Express. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference ie_hr was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "India to test a submarine-based ballistic missile". rusnavy.com.
  8. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference 9Mar2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Kurus (21 January 2020). "K4 The 4000km Range Submarine Launched Missile Tested Successfully | Indian Politics". Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  10. ^ "India successfully tests ballistic missile from submarine". South China Morning Post. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  11. ^ CSIS. "Sagarika/Shaurya". Missile Threat. CSIS. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  12. ^ Mundhra, Shreya (2 January 2022). "Boosting Indian Navy's Firepower, DRDO Launches Nuclear Submarine With 'Vertical Launch System'". EURASIAN TIMES. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  13. ^ "Arihant's N-capable missile 'ready to roll'". The Times of India. 14 December 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  14. ^ "India successfully test-fires K-4 submarine-launched nuclear capable missile". The Economic Times. 24 January 2020. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  15. ^ "INS Arighaat fitted with 3,500 km strike range missiles, 70 pc indigenous content". ANI News. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  16. ^ Singh, Mayank (29 August 2024). "Second nuke-powered submarine Arighat to be commissioned today". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 September 2024.